Why Premier League Clubs Must Target Barcelona Defender Martin Montoya

Luis Enrique insists the situation can change; Martin Montoya's agent, and presumably the player himself, feels it won't.

In Tuesday night's 8-1 win over Huesca in the Copa del Rey, Montoya started a match for the first time since September, when he played against Athletic Bilbao in the league.

The months in between those two starts were tough for the 23-year-old. Too tough, in fact, and last Thursday Juan de Dios Carrasco, the player's representative, confirmed that his client would be seeking an exit in January, per ESPNFC's Dermot Corrigan.

"From now on, clubs interested have the possibility to make contact with Barcelona and negotiate his transfer," he said after a meeting with Barca's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

His start then, in the cup in midweek, was merely a chance to say goodbye to Camp Nou, suggested Lluis Mascaro in Catalan newspaper Sport.

After that game, though, Luis Enrique claimed the situation is not irreversible.

"I have given him [90 minutes] because in training you can see his level and ability. Any player can reverse his situation," Enrique stated, reported by Juan Manuel Diaz in Sport.

However, once again, Montoya's agent was on hand with a quick riposte—although he hastened to add there is no problem between player and manager.

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

"The game against Huesca has not changed the situation, the feelings are the same," Carrasco said, per Sport.

Juventus, per Football Italia, have been monitoring the situation, but there can be no doubt there have been several prying eyes from England keeping tabs on what has been going on.

Liverpool have been linked with him in the Guardian.

Glen Johnson's contract is set to expire in the summer and Brendan Rodgers doesn't seem completely smitten on summer signing Javier Manquillo yet. Jon Flanagan, still just 21, is another option, but he's having a torrid time with an injury.

Would Montoya be an improvement for the Anfield club?

Under Gerardo Martino, he started 12 La Liga games, but he's never begun more than that in a top-flight season.

Due to that, it's difficult to gauge if he's made the step from talented youngster into a top-level player, or if his talented-youngster tag benefited from being a youngster at one of world football's greatest breeding grounds.

Former Spain U21 coach Luis Milla believes the former, comparing Montoya to Real Madrid's right-back Dani Carvajal.

"Carvajal is from 1993 and Montoya from 1991. I had Montoya [when boss of La Rojita]. I think they have a similar level, but Carvajal is [the one] given a chance," he said, per Sport.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

"I would have given the chance to Montoya to fight, who is a boy with a good mentality and his feet on the ground."

The Express has also credited Arsenal with an interest in Montoya, saying he would cost £16 million.

Defensively, he's sound, and perhaps the problem at Barcelona is that he was never going to be the new Dani Alves—whether Douglas will be is a different debate.

But Montoya isn't poor going forward, he just tends to be a more steady option.

Manchester United haven't been linked with him, but depending on what formation Louis van Gaal decides to play moving forward, he could be an option for them.

Chelsea and Manchester City will likely steer clear given their current options.

Montoya won't be a signing to particularly excite fans, but it's not often a player of his quality—even if it's still not been determined just how good he will be—becomes so readily available.

Premier League clubs should take advantage of his availability. They, after all, have been handed the bargaining power.